Friends and family Latest Topicshttps://forum.whole30.com/forum/22-friends-and-family/Friends and family Latest TopicsenTired of saying "moderation won't work for me"https://forum.whole30.com/topic/53399-tired-of-saying-moderation-wont-work-for-me/
Backstory: I'm currently on my 4th round of whole 30, rounds 3 and 4 have ben *almost* back to back (2 weeks off). First two rounds taught me a lot but habits didn't stick. I keep trying, though, because I feel that I'm on the cusp of a healthy revolution for my self. I feel so so close, and hope that this round is where I really can apply this better in my everyday life when off whole30. I am a freelance musician, don't work regular hours, drive/commute a lot, and all around have a super weird schedule which makes the meal planning part stressful but with my current chaotic life, if I'm not whole30-ing, I won't eat well. Period.

Other backstory: My roommate has done several whole30's over the years, one of which we did together about a year ago (and before I knew the rules well....we totally did SWYPO that round). A few months after that round, she started working with a friend who is her health coach of sorts, and she has lost like 60 lbs over the course of 9 months. She looks amazing. She also has a lot more time to devote to her health, given that she has a 9-5/paid vacation/etc. She said she is glad she did the whole30 but doesn't ever want to do it again. Her diet is 'moderation,' which truly varies depending on the day, can include lots of veggies and proteins and good stuff, or could be lean cuisines/other not-very-clean prepared food.

I totally respect that everyone has their own journey to find good health and their definition of food freedom. I do. The thing is, I don't think my roommate gets it. Every time I say I'm struggling with staying on track, especially if it's related to being so busy, she starts up her spiel on moderation AGAIN. I have tried time and time again to say, "yeah, that won't work for me." I know that she is trying to be helpful. She sees me struggling, she sees that I want to be as healthy as her, and wants me to find my way to get there. Tonight she started telling me that she likes her food lifestyle because it gives her more options for on-the-go/when she needs food fast. I tried her way. I have articulated to her that I tried her way. In all honesty, the harder I tried for "moderation," the worse I ate. It just hasn't been a good option for me. Prior to my round 3, I was eating with total shame every night when I came home from a stressful day. I can't say fully since I have not seen a doctor, but I do think I was/am borderline binge eating disorder. I feel too, that I have a pretty strong, addictive personality. Most things in my life are very all-or-nothing-at-all. I've always been careful with certain things because I know I could easily be obsessed to an unhealthy degree if I'm not careful.

I was reading in the first chapter of Food Freedom how for most people, black-and-white rules work best. I really resonated with this. I am the one who became a binge eater from trying to eat in moderation, and my roommate is one of the very few people out there who got it down. I guess I'm just curious as to what articles and research there is out there that supports Melissa's statement on this. I don't necessarily think throwing some articles at my roommate will help, but at the very least I'd like to understand why the black-and-white thing works best for most people, and why I know that it's the only way for me. Anyone have insight? Or, you know, tips as to how I can get this subject dropped once and for all? I feel like every time she brings it up it just makes me feel defeated. Like, I haven't had a huge transformation moment from whole30 yet so how can I stand my ground?

I’m half way through my 7th? Whole30 and reading FFF again (#myfoodfreedom book club!). I know a lot about the program and know that it works and I’m really feeling ready and motivated to find Food Freedom this time. There is one key thing I am worried about: We eat one dinner with my in-laws every week.

My in-laws have also done the program but really didn’t understand/adopt the spirit of the program, so don’t really seem to understand the idea that I want to change the way I eat. They continue to be shocked by the amount of avocado I eat (“so much fat”) and the only compliant veggie options appear to be a baked potato and boiled carrots. When my husband and I are on a Whole30, they’re always considerate and make a compliant (though generally less than exciting) meal. I’ve offered to bring a side/help and they almost always decline. They also generally don’t let us know what we’re eating prior to our arrival, at least not in any detail.

My Point: I’m struggling with how to handle this in my Food Freedom. If I bring something extra/a side, they’ll be offended for sure. If I avoid the things that don’t work me that are on the table without saying anything, I’ll likely just end up eating meat.

I’m wondering if I should go to dinner, see how the meal goes each week, and try to keep it small if it doesn’t align with my needs and then eat the lacking portions at home? But then I’m not really following the template at each sitting + eating dinner later than normal. But if I eat a mini meal before I go, I might end up over-eating if what they’re having works for me. It’s not just about being compliant either, I have to be careful about the amount of starchy veg I eat for example, too. We do host the meal every few weeks, so those will be easy and an opportunity to show them how we actually eat but old habits die hard. I can enjoy the meal experience with the company alone, I’m just concerned about actually meeting my nutritional needs that doesn’t make every Monday morning a disaster and a half.

I know FFF has advice on basically just “having the talk,” but I’m not confident it’s going to help, even with the best intentions. They are also feeding my brother and sister in law and their two small children, who mostly follow a SAD diet.

Has anyone had any experience with something similar? Any specific advice for my situation? I appreciate you, thanks!

]]>53140Sun, 11 Feb 2018 16:32:21 +0000You know someone is doing a Whole30 when...https://forum.whole30.com/topic/1842-you-know-someone-is-doing-a-whole30-when/... they bring a tupperware container to the gym for their post workout snack.

... they specifically tell their waiter they want their meat dry grilled with no butter, no oil and no seasoning.

... they have 10 cans of coconut milk in their shopping cart at TJ's.

... they go to a restaurant and ask for a salad with no cheese, no dressing, no croutons, and no candied pecans. And they brought their own dressing.

OK people lets have some fun. What else can you come up with?

]]>1842Sat, 04 Aug 2012 00:14:51 +0000The crazy things people sayhttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/2858-the-crazy-things-people-say/I thought it might be fun to start a thread with the crazy sh*t people say. I'm sure we've all had experiences where we go WTF? Did they really just say that? Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's just sad.

I'll start.

"It's OK to eat [white] potatoes if you boil them. It removes all the starch!" -My Dear Grandmother

"Here, I made fresh homemade lemonade and there's no sugar in it... only corn syrup!" -BF's Mom

]]>2858Thu, 06 Sep 2012 01:20:24 +0000Poptarts and reflections on Day 29https://forum.whole30.com/topic/37148-poptarts-and-reflections-on-day-29/ Pop tarts. Peanut butter toast. Pancakes. All just part of my standard breakfast choices. Quick, easy, and, I thought, satisfying. After a 12 hour shift at the hospital with one meal break, I would not only feel hungry but physically crave McDonald’s. After all, it would just be a “light snack” before I lay down to sleep shortly after arriving home. You know—“light” as in just a medium fry and small mocha frappe…but inevitably that middle-of-the-night indigestion would make me sit upright in bed until the burning subsided. Then I started to realize my XL hospital scrubs were getting too tight, and when I would sit in my chair at work, I was resting my arms on my belly. Alarm bell—my SCRUBS are too tight!! Alarm bell--Looking down one day, I realized my belly stuck out further than my boobs. And my boobs aren’t small. Ladies, don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about! Even if you don’t notice it as you’re sitting down, it suddenly strikes you when you glance at a casual photo that someone snapped. Thus, I entered the “contemplation” phase of acknowledging there was a problem but not sure what to do about it.

A friend on Facebook “liked” the Whole30 page causing it to appear on my newsfeed. I had heard of Whole30 long ago, was mildly aware of some of its elements and then promptly forgot about it. At different times in my life I have delved into the packaged diet food home delivery system. It was successful (lost 25 pounds), but was too expensive to sustain long term and I was always eating separately from my family. Other times I was determined to count Points, so paid my monthly on-line fee for the privilege of obsessing and stressing over what each food “cost me”, until eventually I was just paying the fee and not actually counting Points—which stressed me more. So when I clicked on the link that was generated by my friend’s “like”, I casually read through the info on Whole30.com. First I was surprised at the amount of information they were providing on-line for FREE! What? The common sense encouragement and the nobody’s-perfect-but-here’s-why-we-want-you-to-do-your-best style of information drew me in. I purchased the Kindle version of It Starts With Food to learn a little more. The price of an e-book wasn’t much to lose in order to learn more. The information in that book made sense, was an easy read and appealed to my nurse-mind sensibilities. After looking at an Amazon sample of the Whole30 book, I decided it, too, was worth a few more dollars to research further. Everything I read made sense, the recipes in the book were simple with easily accessible ingredients and my For Real planning began. This, now, was the Preparation/Determination phase that Whole30 references.

Here’s the honest part: I didn’t experience extreme highs and lows once I started. I didn’t get constipated, didn’t bite off anyone’s head due to lack of sugar. I also did not suddenly get “energy through the roof” or “get the best sleep of my life”, “feel the best I’ve ever felt in my life” during the second week of the program. What I DID experience early on was the ease of the program. It was full of absolutes which were easy to follow—none of THIS, but plenty of THAT. Recipes that my family has also enjoyed along with me. When I say ease of the program, I’m not referring to the ease in finding sugar-free food. I was incredibly surprised at how many foods had added sugar and until I came to terms with that, my trips to the grocery store took a looooong time. My recent visit (on Day 25) consisted of going straight to the vegetable and meat aisles for what I needed and was a MUCH shorter trip! As part of true confessions, I probably did not eat as many vegetables with each meal as the authors describe, but it was a heck of a lot more than previously. And some days of poor planning before heading to work resulted in ordering the Fresh Fruit Entrée from the cafeteria. I chose not to feel guilty but, rather, felt proud that I was thinking of a fruit plate as “junk food”! My biggest success food-wise? When I had just enjoyed a sweet, crunchy handful of plain almonds for a snack at work when a co-worker came along and ate a couple. “Yuk! They’re not salted! Why would you EAT those?” Yet, I had just been thinking how amazing it was that I was noticing the sweetness of the plain nut! Another up-side of this? Your co-workers won’t steal your snack!

Tomorrow is Day 30. After-planning is in effect. I’m looking forward to creamer in my morning coffee and plan to use store-bought mayonnaise in my egg salad (sorry—I just can’t with homemade mayo!). Keeping unhealthy carbs out of my breakfast and continuing with my Fast Food boycott remains in my plan. As I look back at this past month I realize I HAVE been sleeping through the night (without indigestion) and waking earlier—many times a little before my alarm. I have a bad habit of sitting with my legs curled under me and I have now noticed that when I stand up, I am no longer hobbling for a few steps while my joints unbend. I am pulling the strings of my scrub pants tighter and my scrub top hangs free instead of binding at my middle. Non-Scale Win? When my daughter asks if I have new yoga pants or were they the old ones that used to be skin tight—it felt great to reply that they were the old ones.

I will admit that completing with my first Whole30 is a little scary. Will I go on a crazy binge after I get a taste of sugar again? I think not. I started out the month having to physically turn away from the food commercials on TV and, truthfully, if I look at a Pop Tart today, I can taste the sweetness on my tongue. This is not unlike the cravings of a drug addict, for whom I have a new empathy. Right now, despite knowing the sweetness that could be mine, my second thought is of how it wouldn’t be worth it. So, much like a Half Way House for addicts, I will continue to work toward healthy eating and control. I don’t like the thought of having food control me again. I pray that I can maintain self-control and respect for what food can do FOR me, rather than TO me.

No matter where you are on your journey, I wish you the best! Carol

]]>37148Wed, 08 Jun 2016 00:49:04 +0000A friend needs helphttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/47296-a-friend-needs-help/
Hi all, I'm on my second round and have attracted a few friends to do the Whole30 with me. One friend in particular wants to get really healthy. She bought the Whole30 program, read the book, is cooking like a fiend and loves it. Her goal (and I know Whole30 isn't technically a weight loss program) is to loose 100 pounds. She needs guideance as she is reaching her 30th day tomorrow. She reached out to me to ask how she can go about staying mostly on Whole30 for a long time, until she reaches her goal. I have strongly suggested that she read Food Freedom and she will. I just wanted to ask if there are any other suggestions out there. I also suggested that she complete the reintro the long way. After that, she would indulge when it's really worth it to her. Other than that I'm not sure of what else to tell her. Thanks for any tips or suggestions you may have! Melissa
]]>47296Tue, 26 Sep 2017 19:40:45 +0000Thank you gifthttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/44644-thank-you-gift/
Hello everyone,

I'm on Day 14 of my first Whole30 (woohoo!!) and going strong! There are a lot of reasons that I decided to embark on this I owe a lot to my boyfriend's aunt, who heard about my Whole30 goal, and like the angel she is immediately jumped on board and decided to take the journey with me. She's been there for me literally every day, checking in, worrying over my health, and reminding me to stay strong. I know a ton of you out there must have awesome support systems as well. I want to do something nice for her to both celebrate finishing HER Whole30, but also to say thank you for being such a wonderful person. I'd love it if you guys would share gifts you've given in the past or just ideas that you think would be fantastic.

]]>44644Fri, 16 Jun 2017 20:03:30 +0000Getting clear on the WHYhttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/43987-getting-clear-on-the-why/
On the weekend, my MIL kept asking why I'm doing this, hinting that it's not healthy and that I should be checking my vitals weekly since it's basically Atkins and Atkins is unhealthy and only for losing weight.

Last night, my husband told me that even though I told him I'm not doing this for the weight, he's asked around and everyone says it's for the weight, that this is the reason people do the Whole 30. Then he asked me why I'm doing this, since I'm healthy already so saying it's for health doesn't make sense to him either.

Both of these exchanges bothered me tremendously, and I see now that it is because I didn't have a clear answer for them (or me) as to WHY I'm doing this. So here is my attempt to sum up why I chose to do a Whole 30, and why on Day 16 I remain committed. I will come back to this list when I wane in motivation, which is sometimes hourly :-)

1) Connecting with my food connects me to the earth and to what is really important for me. Choosing to eat only whole foods for 30 days nourishes not only my body, but my mind and spirit as well.

2) The Whole 30, for me, is a celebration of how far I've come with food. I have a history of eating disorders (which may explain why my family is concerned), but I do not feel at all that my Whole 30 is about losing weight (which I don't need to do). It is about celebrating food, eating when I'm hungry and as much as I need to feel satiated, eating lots of fats, and eating animal protein and being ok with that after various failed attempts to become vegetarian when in my heart I knew it just wasn't for me.

3) The Whole 30 is about saying YES to me, and kindly being firm with others when they try to tell me what to do (in overt or subtle ways). I have always been a people-pleaser, and while I already know sugar, white flour and alcohol are not good for me, I often partake because it's the social thing to do or because I know others will feel better if I have something with them (my mom - sweets, my husband - alcohol). This time is all about ME, and asserting that I don't have to eat or drink things I don't really want to to make others feel better.

4) The veggie, protein and fat combo is delicious and satisfying. I've been trying Whole 30 recipes at home and the whole family loves them. I have discovered new combinations of foods, new foods altogether, and rediscovered foods that I had overlooked (hello tahini and shredded coconut!)

5) I recently made a big decision in my life, choosing to step down from a management job and stay at a more comfortable job in order to have more space and time for myself, my family, and my passions. Doing the Whole 30 at this time feels like a RESET. Starting fresh, becoming new again, recommitting to the things that are most important to me.

6) It is only 30 days. I do miss whole grains and the occasional sweet, but I know that soon enough I will be able to partake if I really want to. Yet it is more than 30 days. Getting so crystal clear on what my body needs and likes will help me be more conscious of my choices going forward. I love Melissa's questions around whether to eat something post Whole 30 - something like - Is this a special occasion? Will it make me feel terrible after? Do I really want it? Do I really want it is key for me, and will help me make good food decisions going forward.

7) The community. I love the book, the website, the Forum! I feel like I've connected with like-minded people who are committed to good food, to taking care of themselves, and to working for something they believe in despite of what others may think. It's all about tuning in to what is right, and to working with others to help you see that when it is not clear.

8) Although I feel I am now a normal eater after many years of eating disorders, I still fall to sugar, white flour and alcohol when I am stressed or depressed, and was falling into that habit again before Whole 30. The Whole 30 is a good way to just stop those bad habits and remind myself that the short-term pleasure is not worth the lethargy, low mood and negative thoughts that I fall into when I'm back on a daily sugar hit.

9) On Day 16, I've hit Tiger Blood. I feel connected, refreshed, energized, and able to make good decisions about food and life. Having an experience like this reminds me of what's possible, and that happiness is an inside job.

10) Last year I went off anti-depressants, and good food was a big part of that. Kelly Brogan's book, "A Mind of Your Own" uses food as the first way to reconnect with yourself and heal depression, and her dietary guidelines are very much aligned with Whole 30 - lots of good quality proteins and fat, lots of fruits and veggies, no sugar, flour, alcohol. When Dr. Brogan works with patients, she has them do a 30 day food reset eliminating grains, legumes, white potatoes (resistant starch), and processed food, so doing this is something I had been thinking about, and I'm already seeing improvements in my mood.

So there you have it! My top 10 reasons WHY I'm doing the Whole 30. I will send this to my hubby :-)

What about you? Why are you YOU doing the Whole 30?

Lots of love,

Paula

]]>43987Wed, 10 May 2017 13:55:29 +0000Husband/Wife/Spouse/Partner Not With the Program?https://forum.whole30.com/topic/11118-husbandwifespousepartner-not-with-the-program/I tried searching for this subject, but I was unable to find what I was looking for.

Long story short, I have an amazing husband, but he thinks this whole "elimination" think is silly and extra stress and if I just gave up candy and worked out more I would see the fitness results without having to do something so time-consuming and socially isolating. He doesn't get the other reasons I'm trying to do this (stabilize my hormones, more energy, deal with allergies, etc.). Because changing your diet is all about weight loss, right?

He's really cool about it as long as I make the food. He just eats what I put in front of him without complaint. But if he's in charge of dinner, it's 7-Eleven hot dogs. Plus, he's extremely social and routinely invites people over to our place for cocktails. I like our friends and I'm fine with my San Pellegrino, but I'm tired of the awkward "why aren't you drinking" conversations (pretty sure they think I'm pregnant by now) and when I need to go to bed they're still around and I don't want to be rude and leave the party.

I guess it's also hard because I would really love to do this with him. But since he's incredibly fit and one of those 80/20 paleo folks, there's little I can do to convince him that it would be a good change.

Is anyone else doing this program and receiving apathy, resistance and/or sabotage from their partner? I guess I'm just looking for people to fight the good fight with

]]>11118Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:11:33 +0000Day 7, Not feeling well after dinner at nighthttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/44266-day-7-not-feeling-well-after-dinner-at-night/
Just a quick note, It's day 7 and I am sooo lucky to have my best friend and husband on the bandwagon with me, we are doing this together, so we share our feelings up and down. One I am having (last 3 days) my stomach does not feel in the evening.

I have always been a conscientious food preparer, as far as eating mostly veggies and whole foods, not processed. I have never been on a diet or food plan in my life. I have always just listened to my body, hungry=eat. Granted I didn't make the same choices that I am now, and I sure miss my chips, but none the less, I am not a sugar craver, not an overeater, not a bag of chocolate covered almonds a night (because they are healthier for you) kind of eater.

I seem to just not feel good at night. Is this anything anyone else has gone through? My hubby says he feels fine. Just didn't think I was changing up my diet that much to make a difference. Thoughts? I go to bed at least 2 hours after dinner and have plenty of water. Just makes me wonder if I am doing the right thing.

]]>44266Sun, 28 May 2017 15:28:14 +0000Peer pressure is more difficult to resist than sugar.https://forum.whole30.com/topic/34673-peer-pressure-is-more-difficult-to-resist-than-sugar/Why is it that NOT DRINKING is such a huge deal... and by NOT DRINKING.. i mean not drinking an alcoholic beverage... who gives a @#!*** what is in my glass... (what are you drinking?... oh seltzer water... WHAT?... WHY???... oh i am just going a month without alcohol... a program i am doing... WHY?? that is CRAZY... just don't eat junk food... just exercise more... just do this just do that... blah blah blah...) i walked around last night at a charity event wine tasting with a small amount of wine in my glass just to avoid the judgment and the questions... and i am not 17... i am over 50... after the event everyone was going out for pizza... i just went home to avoid a disaster..... (come on... just one won't hurt... seriously one piece of pizza isn't going to kill you... don't be so strict... you're not chubby... you look great why on this crazy diet... ITS NOT A DIET!!!!!)... so i am pledging to myself to never ask someone again... what are you drinking?... and possibly it is easier to just be a recluse. ... thank you for letting me vent... have a good day.

PS.. in my friends' defense.. they just want me to be happy and i think they feel like if i am not enjoying all life has to offer or i am restricting what i can and can't do/eat/drink that i must be unhappy and thinking i need improvement and they want to assure me that i am fine and should just relax and enjoy good food, good wine, good friends.. good weekends!... but it's day 12 for me and i am just now starting to feel really good... rested.. didn't realize how bloated i was... my head feels clear on a saturday morning! yeah!!.... now THAT's the way to enjoy a weekend

]]>34673Sat, 27 Feb 2016 18:40:00 +0000Easter Helphttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/43447-easter-help/
Does anyone have any good Whole 30 recipes I could make for Easter?? I need help with main and side dishes! I'm thinking of making roast beef. Thanks for the help!!
]]>43447Sun, 09 Apr 2017 19:44:07 +0000Easter Supporthttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/43460-easter-support/
I'm really dreading Easter.

A little background first: I'm on day 8 of my Whole30. I wanted to do this without telling my mother (who lives an hour away), because she is one of my biggest triggers. My mother has very narcissistic tendencies, and I find when I'm around her I lose myself. She spent her whole life (and still is) constantly on Weight Watchers. ALL of my issues with my relationship with food can be traced back to her. One of the reasons I've become as big as I am (I've learned through therapy) is that being fat is the biggest "Fuck You" message I can send to her. Anytime I try to lose the weight as an adult, all of a sudden she's turning it into a competition, and calling me to tell me what she ate, when, how much, how many miles she's walked, swam or whatever, and then wants to know what I've done. It drives me nuts, because I don't want to be in competition with her. I want to do this for ME.

I ended up having to tell her about what I'm doing because of Easter (we are expected to go out there for the holiday). I tried to have a conversation about what I can and can't eat, and she got mad because this is so inconvenient. When I said I'd just bring my own food, she got all huffy and hung up. I'm not going off plan just to make her feel like she can "win", by forcing me to "just have a little...". It's not just the Easter dinner that's going to suck, because I'm sure she will feel the need to point out to the entire family that I'm eating differently, but I will have to spend 3 days talking about nothing but my food choices, and turning all this into something it's not. She's going to be making comments about my body, she's going to be criticizing me for doing something so "hard".

Anyway, I just wanted to put it out there that yes, Easter will be hard, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who will be having a hard time. Let's be there for each other ok?

]]>43460Mon, 10 Apr 2017 14:58:37 +0000What if you can't clean out your pantry?https://forum.whole30.com/topic/40839-what-if-you-cant-clean-out-your-pantry/
Today is my 1st day of the January Whole30, and Melissa's email talks about how important it is to clean out your pantry.

But what if you can't do it? I have a husband and three little kids, and my husband is definitely not up on the program. Even when I tried to clean out our pantry of cereals, he ended up just buying more. Yes, I know, I know, we have an issue there -- but it's one that we've had for years, decades even. I've come to accept that on this issue we'll never see eye to eye. I can eat what I want to eat, and I can feed kids when I feed them what I want to feed them, but I can't control his actions or convince him to join me. And it's not that he's eating unhealthily, it's just that he's a true follower of all the conventional "best for your health" recommendations about needing whole grains, etc.

Anyway, that means that we always have bread, dairy, etc. in the house. And I even have to handle them, because our kids don't have any issues with dairy, and I don't want to deny them yogurt (unsweetened) or sour cream or butter just because I'm on Whole30; so I serve it to them.

but oh, it's hard to cut brie and not want to put it on my plate. Or that yogurt with fresh fruit while my own dinner is not yet ready, and I'm tired from a stressful day at work and kids' din of voices and I so want to just fill my bowl like theirs...

Help! Any advice for staying the course of Whole30?

]]>40839Mon, 02 Jan 2017 18:00:46 +0000upcoming engagement partyhttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/42185-upcoming-engagement-party/
Saturday evening I've been invited to an engagement party. My friends who I am going with will be drinking fairly heavily...part of me doesn't want to go as hanging out with drunk-ass people sober is not fun. Any advice? Should I skip it?
]]>42185Thu, 09 Feb 2017 12:38:39 +0000unreasonable comment re weight losshttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/42598-unreasonable-comment-re-weight-loss/
My other half said to me yesterday "if you lose any more weight you'll look unwell." For a fact I am not underweight; I am 5ft11 and circa 11st 7. I have recently lost some weight as a by-product of my whole30. I have slimmed down but am gaining muscle from training and feeling better.

How do you deal with comments when you know they're not particularly rational?

]]>42598Mon, 27 Feb 2017 10:43:10 +0000mother bear is a stumbling block for mehttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/38959-mother-bear-is-a-stumbling-block-for-me/
long story short. I still live at home. I'm on day 5 of my w30.

Last night I came home from work to my mum saying "oh I've made you some mashed potato"

sweet, none the less (it could have been mashed with just coconut/olive oil after all and handy for dinner veggies!)

"oh thanks! what's in it?" "goats butter, and lactofree milk."

My heart sunk. The problem is, I really struggle to tell her when I'm doing something like the whole30 as she freaks out that I'm on some crazy weight loss routine and gets a bit snarky about it.

So this morning I found myself feeding the cold mashed potato to the dogs before she woke up....

Anyone been in a similar situation?

]]>38959Fri, 02 Sep 2016 12:02:03 +0000Bagel brunch hours after I eat breakfasthttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/41412-bagel-brunch-hours-after-i-eat-breakfast/
Invited to a birthday brunch - which I know will be bagels and probably cake. It's at 10:15 - way after I normally eat breakfast. I'm on Day 15 - do not want to blow my success. In the past, I'd have eaten a tiny bit. Now - none of it.

I've been home with a bad cold since before I started my Whole30. So I've been in charge and in control of all of my food. This is my first venturing out.

I've appreciated learning how to talk about what I'm doing. My question is how do I manage my eating schedule so I can continue my success? I have not been eating mid morning....

First off I apologize if this has already been posted, or I'm in the wrong section of the forums.. I wasn't able to find what I was looking for.

So my question/predicament is what do you do with the gifts you receive from friends and family when you receive unhealthy candy, crackers, processed food, etc.? I've considered just tossing all the candy and junk food in the trash, but then I felt guilty since I know some of the items were not cheap and hard to find. I've also considered putting it in the break room at work, or giving it to different family/friends, but then I thought I'm doing a disservice to them and their health by offering them these same sweets.

What do YOU do when you receive non-whole 30/paleo treats as gifts for special occasions?

]]>40648Wed, 28 Dec 2016 01:11:30 +0000I could never give up _______https://forum.whole30.com/topic/20124-i-could-never-give-up-_______/When I tell people that I am doing Whole30 and the foods I am not eating the common sentence I get is, I could never give up ________. What are the foods/drinks your friends/family tell you they could never give up when you tell them about the program...

Alcohol is probably the biggest one I have heard

Cheese

Chocolate

]]>20124Sun, 29 Jun 2014 13:54:57 +0000I just wanna help my mom!https://forum.whole30.com/topic/40281-i-just-wanna-help-my-mom/
I've been telling my parents how wonderful w30 is and how freeing it is when it comes to food. They are staying with us this week and my mom brought all these bars and protein powders, convinced that they are healthy. Don't get me wrong. I understand that some of us have nutritional deficiencies even when we are on top of our game and need some supplements at times... but this is crazy. She's convinced that she needs to stay in her "zones" for macros and when I offered her real food, she said maybe later. They may have grabbed dinner before they got here, and that's ok but it would not surprise me if her dinner was the nutrition bars that are super processed and uber gross (I never liked them even before whole30). I'm sad because I really think she'd benefit from the program. She's always been an emotional eater and it kinda shows. I love her but I want her to be healthy. She's already prediabetic (meanwhile I do have diabetes... thanks genetics!) and has kidney issues. She may not be as young as she once was but that doesn't stop me from wanting her to have a long healthy(er) life.

Argh. This really is just a vent. Part of me wants to be passive aggressive and get her the w30 and FFF books but I don't think it'd go over well (besides I like giving fun and meaningful gifts. So I may do something different for them and remind them those books exist) But since they are here and I still make mostly whole30 meals, I can kinda introduce her to the awesomeness of whole food eating and just keep talking it up. My dad seems excited about it (i get my adventure loving foodie from him) but I'm not sure my mom is gonna see beyond the low fat craze.....

]]>40281Sat, 19 Nov 2016 06:28:29 +0000Coordinating Successhttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/40029-coordinating-success/
This has probably been answered before but I couldn't find the topic so I wanted to ask for some help. I will be doing the whole30 with my mom but she and I don't live together so it is a bit hard to have that knowledge that she and I will be holding each other accountable. I know I will be good when it comes to making the food for myself and staying away from some cravings like creamer and sugar in my coffee, but my mom will be struggling with that and she has a job that requires her to be on point. She is not a tea drinker like me and I want to make sure we both go in and come out strong with this.

Anyone have any tips to help us both keep each other on track while we do this.?

]]>40029Thu, 03 Nov 2016 16:17:09 +0000CALLING ALL UK Whole30/Post-Whole30-ers!https://forum.whole30.com/topic/8444-calling-all-uk-whole30post-whole30-ers/Somewhere on the Whole30 Forum I found a post with a few different UK-dwellers on it. Sadly, I can't find it again!!! Doing Whole30/Paleo is different in the UK as we don't have access to all the foods and companies that everyone in America does. I wanted to start some kind of forum for all of us who do live in the UK so we can share tips and tricks for doing the Whole30 here. Anyone else out there????]]>8444Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:22:54 +0000How to navigate being invited to a pot luckhttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/38490-how-to-navigate-being-invited-to-a-pot-luck/
I have just started my 3rd whole 30. I did not make it through the 2nd because we got invited away for a weekend and I had to eat! When no one else is doing whole 30 its really hard. I am the only one in my family doing this. I can not get my husband or daughter to buy into it. It does not help when I fall of the wagon when we go out or to friends. I get together with my girlfriends, attend small group studies with church ladies and have just been invited to a mother daughter luncheon. I am frustrated that I just can not seem to make it through these events because I do not know what to take to share with non whole 30 people. I have looked through sites to find appetizers and ideas but honestly they are too far out there and no one wants to eat them. I need some normal food ideas that people will eat. Any suggestions anyone please
]]>38490Sun, 14 Aug 2016 23:08:25 +0000food gift I can mail for family birthdayshttps://forum.whole30.com/topic/39276-food-gift-i-can-mail-for-family-birthdays/
Prior to whole 30 I was sending Paleo brownies with compliant ingredients to family members via mail for their birthdays. Now that doesn't feel like such a great idea. Does anyone have a suggestion for a food gift I can make and mail to family for birthday treats? Thanks!!!
]]>39276Mon, 19 Sep 2016 04:56:47 +0000